JERUSALEM!

Being at the heart of Jerusalem- the “Old City,” where Christians, Muslims and Jews all live or “coexist” is a blessing in disguise.  As mentioned, I’m taking a course in Jerusalem called “Coexistence in the Middle East” at Hebrew University.  

Although the numbers aren’t equal, it is right to say that in such a small area live people 
of the same past, different present, and unpredictable future.

of the same past as Abraham was the forefather of all three monotheistic religions,

perhaps of a different present overlooks Jerusalem.

the magnificent Muslim shrine 

‘the Dome of the Rock’ stands

where the First and Second Jewish Temple was built and destroyed,

not to mention that the Dome

 is almost identical in shape

 and a few steps away from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians.

and of an unpredictable future.

There’s enough history, however I’d rather not stress on opinion, which can lead to subjectivity

 but to share about my own experience

... of ‘co-existing’ (living) with two Muslims, a Jew, one (who’d rather not say) and me-a Christian.

In the media, you endlessly hear of the conflicts among these groups, 

but my experience has been quite different. 

The other day, I was making some noodles for dinner when my housemate walked in from grocery shopping.  I was quite hungry, but seeing that she came home after a tiring day, I offered to make more noodles to share with her. Then another housemate came and I did the same. They also offered some of their own ingredients to the mix. We didn’t all just go into our rooms and sit in front of our computers like a typical North American society; we ate together and spoke not about the latest iPad, smartphone, shopping sales...

but of real things, of experiences, of ideas.

The idea that our differences don’t fuel disagreements and lead to discrimination,

rather they help us learn to “love our neighbour as ourselves.”

Easier said than done, but someone has to take the first step?